My role as an Engagement Coordinator involves supporting the planning and delivery of the Public Programme of events and the Schools programme, working closely with curators. Day to day duties involve supporting learners to connect with our collection, exhibitions, and displays. This may involve arranging school visits with teachers, delivering school tours and family sessions such as Watts Tots and the Make Space, as well as delivering creative classes for adults and supporting the organisation and delivery of special gallery events such as talks and performances. The role also involves supporting administrative activities on the Engagement programme such as collecting and collating accurate information corresponding to activities, creating risk assessments, and managing our brilliant freelance artists and Engagement volunteers who work with us.
The variety of our engagement work is really exciting to me and I feel very lucky to contribute to Watts Gallery – Artists' Village Art for All mission. Through every activity and event we deliver, I discover interesting approaches to arts practice through the talented community of artists and creatives that we collaborate with, who respond to our exhibitions and our site. I value the opportunity to share this knowledge with members of the public, as I understand first-hand the benefits that art practice and engagement can bring. I love encouraging visitors to learn, be inspired, create something they’re proud of, and most importantly, have a go and have fun in the process.
I am currently working on creating a trail around the gallery for families to enjoy during our next exhibition. Watch this space…
I am a painter so I am often found with a brush in hand. My work is figurative and I am influenced by my own social and cultural surroundings. I am inspired by artists like Edward Burra, Grayson Perry and Dale Lewis.
When I was 12 years old, I met the Queen on Guildford High Street! She was travelling to the Guildford Guildhall and had stepped out of the car to greet members of the public who were awaiting her arrival.